Target Far Exceeded by the Ministry of Minority Affairs under its Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme

A centrally sponsored scheme of Pre-matric Scholarship for students belonging to the minority communities, pursuing studies from class I to class X, is being implemented by the Ministry of Minority Affairs since 2008-09. The scheme is being implemented through the State Governments / Union Territory Administrations with funding being shared between the Centre and States in the ratio of 75:25; but in the case of Union Territories 100% financial assistance is provided by the Centre.

An outlay of Rs. 1,400 crores has been provided in the Eleventh Five Year Plan to award 25 lakh scholarships during the plan period (2007-12); of which 30% have been earmarked for girl students. The Ministry had fixed a target of 20 lakh scholarships for 2010-11, against which more than 34 lakh scholarships have already been awarded till 31.12.2010 for which Rs. 343.54 crore have been utilized. Last Financial Year the number of total Scholarships awarded was 17.29 lakh.

-----------------------------------

KKP/ska